Chapter 16
Neither spoke much as they left Crawfordsville in the rented car headed for Sunny View. Noreen watched the familiar flat countryside as it spun past. Hank was driving fast. The sooner they did this, he had convinced her, and got it over, the better for both oi them.
She saw the decaying chute of the gravel pit where she had left Wajfle's car that night. She pointed it out and Hank smiled gravely. "I don't think you have to worry about her. If the warden got your letter she's probably been fired by now."
"I hope so. She can make my life hell if she's still around."
"Don't worry about it. From what you've told me this Mrs. Poindexter is a very decent person. I'm sure she'll help you all she can." A week had passed since they fled from Rocco.
They had driven across country in the old Ford until it expired near Dayton. They had come on by bus and finally rented a car. The nights had been spent in wild love making, the days in dreaming and planning.
Ironically, now that she was returning to give herself up and serve out her time, not a cop looked at them twice.
Noreen was content. Nervous, a little fearful of her reception at Sunny View, but content in her Jove for Hank and the knowledge that he was right. They couldn't run the rest of their lives. Never having a secure home, never knowing any peace. It was better this way.
"It will count a lot in your favor," Hank had told her. "Giving yourself up of your own free will. I know you've had a terribly rough life, darling, and I don't blame you for not trusting anyone. But you've got to get over that! People, a lot of them anyway, are kind and want to help if they can. You'll see."
They were getting close to Sunny View now. Noreen reached out to Hank. "Hold my hand, darling. I'm shaking."
"Don't. I love you. I'll always be with you, even when we're separated for this little time. A year, Noreen, only a year. It will pass in no time. Then we can be together forever."
"Yes. I know you're right. But I'm still scared. I hate that place so. But I'll do it, Hank. I will!"
He drove with one hand, holding her close against him with his free arm. "Of course you will. And don't forget I'll be close. Right in Steel City. Only ninety miles away. I'll come down to see you as often as they'll let me."
That will help so much, the girl thought. That will give me courage and strength. The knowledge that Hank is in the hospital getting cured. She nestled against him. "We're getting close, darling. Just around the next bend. Stop the car and kiss me. Kiss me for a long time."
Hank pulled over to the side and stopped. They came together with a passion that the almost continental love making of the past week had not begun to slake.
Their mouths melded together. After a moment Noreen said: "My God, darling! You can't! Not here in broad daylight!"
Hank muttered into her hair. "Why not? No one coining."
"No, Hank! Please! Oh, no! No. N-o-o. Hank! Now Hank! Oh, darling! Yes-yes-yes! Darling-darling-darling-DARLING!"
Fifteen minutes later they drove through the gates of Sunny View. 'The guard glanced at them but did not come out of his box. Visitor's day, Noreen thought.
She looked about her with mild surprise as they drove along the winding lane leading to the Administration Building. Nothing had changed during her brief absence. Somehow, without reason, she had expected that it would.
When they pulled up before the building Hank said: "You sure you don't want me to go in with you?"
They had discussed this many times. Hank thought it would help if he talked to the warden. Noreen, with typical independence-only Hank called it Irish stubbornness, said she must do it herself.
"No," she said softly. She leaned toward him, gazed into his eyes for a long moment. Satisfied with what she saw there she kissed him lightly on the mouth.
"Goodbye for now, sweet. Let's not drag this out. We'll be all right as long as we love each other. Write me every day?"
"I'll write," Hank said. "I'll come as often as I can. God, Noreen, but I love you!"
"I love you, Hank. Goodbye."
Noreen turned and walked into the building. Hank watched her go, then started the car and drove off around the circular drive.
From her window Debra Poindexter, the warden,
She reached for her inter-com. "Marcy?"
"Yes, Mrs. Poindexter?"
"Put through a call to the Commissioner of Correction in Steel City."
"Yes, Mrs. Poindexter."
"And when Noreen Casey comes in show her straight into my office."
"Noreen Casey? Why, that's the girl who-"
"Never mind, Marcy! Just do as I ask."
The warden leaned back in her chair. There had been no pain today yet. The doctor said she might have a year. Well, a year would be long enough. Noreen wouldn't have to stay that long, not when all the facts were put before the Commissioner.
Life is so strange, she thought. I'll be able to leave something behind me after all.
She looked up with a smile as the door opened and Noreen came in.